On-line version ISSN 1980-5438

Abstract

Throughout its history, Psychiatry shows a clear oscillation between biological and mentalistic perspectives. The biological perspective emphasizes explanations based on the central nervous system and psychopharmacological interventions. On the other hand, the mentalistic perspective highlights subjective experience and interventions based on psychotherapy. Although this difference of opinion is far from being solved, the present work stands for a balance between these two perspectives. The paper presents the dualistic and monist point of views regarding the brain-mind debate. It also discusses the criticisms put forward by some neuroscientists on the subjective knowledge produced by Psychoanalysis. Finally, it is suggested that the "complementarity" concept developed by the quantum physicists Heisenberg and Bohr might help to overcome the epistemological paradox between Psychoanalysis and Neuroscience.